Our basic rap is that since 1995, the US has spent $245 billion (actually the figure just rose to $261) to subsidize “commodity” crops, which has the effect of making junk food cheaper, while the prices of veggies and other healthy unsubsidized foods goes up with inflation. Most this money goes to the biggest agribusinesses like Cargill and Monsanto.

It makes it harder for small farmers to compete, especially if they want to grow healthy food. It’s also fueling an epidemic of obesity as sodas and Twinkies and other super-processed food chock-full of corn-syrup and other subsidized ingredients end up cheaper and cheaper.

Right now, Congress is talking about taking on these subsidies, given the debt situation, so we’re trying to get the word out.